Now is the month of Maying …..

It’s been quite a treat to stare out of our kitchen window these last two days.  We have three lilac trees, one purple, one mauve and one white, which put on a spectacular and perfumed performance for one week only in May.  Two mornings ago, there was not a bud in sight.  By the evening, tight little green buds had appeared.  Yesterday they were bigger.  Today they’ve revealed their colours.  Tomorrow they’ll be out.  Then we go on holiday ….. and miss the rest.

Here’s what these hot few days in early May have produced in the garden.  A few early flowers: narcissi , primroses still survive – just.

Naked trees have suddenly unfurled tender young leaves. Blossom blossoms. Bluebells and dandelions and poinsettia have appeared.   The first wisteria flowers shyly peek from behind their delicate leaves.  Spring has sprung.

And here is some May time music:  Thomas Morley’s ‘Now is the month of maying’, sung by the Beaumont Singers.

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

17 thoughts on “Now is the month of Maying …..”

  3. Splendid photos and splendid timing for me as am currently deciding whether I could squeeze a lilac tree in my backyard. I love lilacs, and being able to cut them and have the house scented with their fragrance, however they only have one season of interest and take up space sideways probably a bit too much. Mmm still can’t bring myself to cross them off quite yet!
    You do live in a very beautiful part of the world.

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  4. I came across a very small lilac which I think was a Korean variety. It was only about a foot high. Or maybe it was just a baby. It was growing in a neighbour’s raised bed. I loved to stop and sniff. For some reason it is no longer there….

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  5. All our lilacs died in a flood a few years back. I still miss them. Your world looks gorgeous–it’s amazing how fast things happen in the spring. I kept noticing a clump of daffodils and how fast they came on and opened. I wish I had taken a photo every hour and done a time-lapse!

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  6. What a glorious sensory experience literally on your doorstep, albeit somewhat brief. After much debate we have just taken several huge branches from our leggy lilac which has a liking for growing horizontally across the lawn rather than upwards. The poor thing looks a little sorry for itself now I must admit but I’m hoping the equally leggy rose which I’ve encouraged to climb what’s left of the lilac will provide some colour when the lilac blooms have faded.

    Enjoy your holiday!

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    1. Thank you! I think your drastic action will pay dividends eventually, but it’s always hard living through the earlier days following demolition. Good luck!

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  7. A lilac is on my shopping list, I didn’t really have somewhere suitable but over the last two days our neighbour has removed several trees and our aspect has somewhat opened up. I can see the river more clearly and have the perfect spot for a lilac or two, but I already miss the woodland feel we had.

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  8. What a gorgeous view! It is too hot here for traditional lilacs, but the US Arboretum, lead by Dr. Donald Egolf, has hybridized some that are adapted to warmer climates. I have the beautiful ‘Betsy Ross’, a compact, white-flowering shrub with good disease resistance and plenty of old-fashioned charm. Enjoy your upcoming travels!

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  9. I didn’t realise lilac didn’t like the heat. We had some when we lived in Southern France too, and it seemed to flourish. I suppose there is hot, and very hot! Thank you – we’re just packing now.

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